Politics
Toronto Mayor's Vendor Permit Reform Policy Aligns Kensington Market with Montreal and Vancouver
Kensington Market vendors face new application timelines and fee structures under the City of Toronto's updated permitting rules that mirror processes already in place in Montreal and Vancouver.
How we reported this
The City of Toronto has implemented revisions to its street vendor permit rules, changing application windows and renewal fees for operators in areas including Kensington Market. These changes place the city's procedures alongside those used by Montreal and Vancouver for similar local commerce licensing.
The revisions stem from a 2025 city council motion that directed staff to review permitting across neighbourhoods after provincial legislation expanded municipal authority over small business oversight. Kensington Market, with its mix of produce stalls and prepared food carts, falls under the updated framework that takes effect for permits issued after January 2027.
Permit Changes for Local Operators
Under the new rules, vendors in Kensington Market must submit renewal applications by a fixed October deadline rather than on a rolling basis. Single-day event permits now carry a flat fee of 85 Canadian dollars, matching the rate Montreal charges for comparable temporary licences. The city projects that 320 Kensington Market permit holders will transition to the revised system in the first year.
Residents who shop daily at the market may notice fewer carts operating during peak summer weeks while vendors adjust paperwork. Delivery schedules for nearby restaurants that rely on market suppliers could shift if permit processing extends by two weeks compared with the prior system.
Budget and Timeline Details
The 2026 city budget papers allocate 1.1 million Canadian dollars to administer the revised permitting across all business improvement areas, including Kensington Market. City staff have stated that the first round of updated permits will be issued in batches beginning March 2027, with public notices posted at market entrances two months prior.
Local advocates note that the comparison to Montreal and Vancouver centres on processing speed rather than enforcement levels. The government says the policy will reduce duplicate filings for vendors who also operate in other Ontario municipalities.